Coin-controlled vending-machine.



No. 674,049. Patented May I4, |901.

T. S. WHEATCHFT.

CDIN GUNTRDLLED VENDING MACHINE.

(Application led Mar. 16, 1899. Renewed Oct. 17, 1900.)

(No Model.) Il Sheets-Sheei-l.

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N0. 674,049. Patented May I4, I90I. T. S. WHEATCRFT.

COIN GONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE.

(Application led Mar. 16, 1899. Renewed Oct. 17, 1900.)

Il Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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No. 674,049. Patented May I4, |90l.

T. s. wHEATcoFT.

COIN GONTROLLEU VENDING MACHINE.

(Application filed Mar. 16, 1899. Renewed Oct. 17, 19070.) (No Mode.) Il Sheets-Sheet 3.

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No. 674,049. Patented may I4, 190|.

T. s. wHEATcHoFT.

COIN CONTROLLED VENDING' MACHINE.

(Application led Mar. 16, 1899. Renewed Oct. 17, 1900.)

(No Model.) n sheets-sheet 4.

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T. S. WHEATCROFT.

COIN CUNTROLLED VENDING MACHINE.

l, Illia? W 'i warg #a nm Il Hmmm@ |||||||ll ,LllllllllllllllllllI-llllll IlIIIII J /Vblfneooa W i 11 A WQ@ 1111. elttoww 1n: ramps Crews co. moumo. wAsnmcvoN T. S. WHEATCROFT.

COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE. N M d IApplication led Mar. I6, 1899. Roncwud Out. 17, 1900.; 0 o e .1

Patented May I4, |9Ul.

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Grocer K l/ y Co.

Aa fngnfgzj W @y MQW M11 cmomy No. 674,049. Patented may I4, |901. T. s. wHEATcRoFT.

COIN CNTROLLED VENDING MACHINE.

(Application filed Mar. 16, V1899. Renewed Oct. 17, 1900.) (No Model.) Il Sheets-Sheet 7.

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No. 674,049. Patented May I4, |90I. T. S. WHEATCRUFT.

COIN GNTRULLED VENDING MACHINE.

(Application led Mar. 16, 1899. Renewed Oct. 17, 1900.) (No Model.) ll Sheets-Sheet 8.

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(IOINn GONTRULLED VENDING MACHINE.

(Application led Mar. 16, 1899. lRenewed Oct. 17, 1900.)

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No. 674,049. v Patented May I4, 190|. T. S. WHEATCHOFT.

COIN CNTRULLED VENDING MACHINE.

(Application led Mar. 16, 1899. Renewed Oct. 17, 1900.)

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(No Model.)

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No. 674,049. Patented May I4, 190|. T. S. WHEATCRUFT. COIN CNTROLLED VENDING MACHINE. (Application led Mar. 16, 1899. Renewed Oct. 17, 1900.)

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(No Model.)

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THOMAS S. WHEATCROFT, OF RUSH, PENNSYLVANIA.

UlN-CONTROLLED VENDINGil/IACHINE.

SPEGFECATIGN forming part of Letters Patent No. 674,049, dated May 14, 1901. Application filed March 16, 1899. Renewed October 17,1900. Serial No. 33,402. lllo model.)

To all whom, t may concern/.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS S. WHEAT- OROFT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rush, in the county of Susquehanna and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coin-Controlled Vending-Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to Which it apperains to make and use the same;

This invention relates to vending-machines of the coin-controlled class and particular type known as article-delivery, and Wherein articles, materials, or substances are fed in bulk to the mechanism, automatically apportioned thereby in predetermined quantities, deposited in individual bags or other receptacles separately fed into receptive position, and delivered to the purchaser in package.

ln addition to the foregoing general statement this invention includes many other salient characteristics, and among` which may be mentioned the absolute prevention of fraudulent manipulation of the machine embodying the same, and which is an important factor in its complete efficiency. It is arranged to stop and repel lead slugs, tokens, washers, or any analogous device other than the proper coin prescribed for its operation. Also coinsintentionally or otherwise dropped in the slot of smaller dimension and unlike that the machine is adjusted or constructed to receive will be returned instantly to the person inserting them, and loss of same or intention to operate therewith is obviated. Furthermore, if the required coin be inserted and a sini ultaneous effort made to operate the machine and before the coin reaches an ac- V tnating position an immediate resistance will ensue and an after automatic resetting and regular deposit of the coin will take place to permit a su bsequent full operation of the starting mechanism and a delivery of the vended article. By this means the purchaser never sustains a loss by failure ofthe n1ech anism to operatively respond and is invariably accordeda return for the necessary regular coin deposit. An attempt to obtain a repeated or multiple vendition by the use of a single coin will be frustrated also, and the machine can be left unguarded without risk of loss from such nefarious practice.

The relative use of a preferred form of registering attachment is a potent feature in that it not only accurately records and indicates the sum-total of the deposited coin, but also correspondingly and unerringly discloses the exact number of vended packages, arti cles, or portions, as the operation is such that the total deposited coins must uniformly tally with the sales automatically made, and thus advantageously and effectively exemplify the fulfilment of an agreement as to the distribution of advertising matter applied to or carried by the packages or articles regularly taken from the machine.

The preceding statement expresses but a few of the more important advantages of the invention, and these broadly contemplate many other contributory structural conveniences Which will become apparent hereinafter, and the mechanism and means which will be presently explained are intended to be considered as including all equivalent or analogous substitutes, and the form and parts illustrated are solely for the purpose of demonstrating a practicable embodiment of What is believed to be a simple structure for accurately disclosing the operation.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of the cabinet or inclosure of the vending-machine embodying the invention and attachments incidental thereto. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the operating mechanism removed from the cabinet or inclosure and in normal position. Fig. 3 is a similar View showing the parts in a different or operating position. Fig. at vis a similar View of the opposite part of the mechanism and in normal position. Fig. 5 is a central longitudinal vertical section of the mechanism shown in normal position. Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation looking from the rear. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective View of parts of the device, showing the manner of opening and filling a bag. Fig. Sis a top plan view of the combined measuring and holding compartment shown shut off andthe mechanism used in conjunction therewith. Fig. 9 is a transverse section of the upper rear part of a portion of the measuring and holding compartment, showing part of the mechanism for IOO operating the cut-off. Fig. 10 is a detail perspective view of a part of the cut`off-operat ing mechanism. Fig. 11 is a similar view of another part of the cutoff-operating mechanism. Fig. 12 is a detail perspective View of a movable scoop. Fig. 13 is a longitudinal vertical section through one side of the ma chine looking toward the starting mechanism from a side opposite to that shown by Fig. 2. Figs. 14 and l5 are elevations of different parts of the mechanism. Fig. 16 is a detail perspective view of the receiving end of the mouth of the cash-box. Fig. 17 is a detail plan View of a part of the starting mechanism, showing locking devices therefor. Fig. 17 is a det-ail perspective View of a part of the scoop, showing a variation in the form of a part thereof. Fig. 18 is a sectional view of a modified form of delivery-outlet. Fig. 19 is a detail perspective view of a modified form of bag holding and feeding device. Fig. 2O is a longitudinal vertical section of the device shown by Fig. 19. Fig. 21 is a front view of the slotway. Fig. 22 is a detail transverse vertical section of the lower portion of the mechanism looking toward the front. Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the shield-plate. Fig. 24 is a detail view in perspective of the bifurcated plate. Fig. 25 is a perspective View of the wiper.

Referring to the drawings, wherein similar numerals are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views, the numeral 1 designates an inclosure of suitable form and dimension, and therein the several mechanisms and devices are relatively positioned for conjoint and individual operation and in the main attached to a vertical face-support 2.

For convenience in locating and alluding to the several mechanisms they will be described under separate heads, such as Starting mechanism, Vending mechanism, Coin mechanism, Registering mechanism, and Display advertising mechanism.

Starting me0hani3m.-F1om the lower part of one side of the face-support 2 an arm 3 extends rearward and terminates in an upturned end 4, having a grooved roller 5 bearing therein and a rear vertical bifurcate plate 6. On the same side of the support 2, above arm 3, brackets 7 are secured and have a channeled plate 8, also projecting rearward therefrom and provided with guides 9 and ratchetbars 10, having teeth thereon a part of their length and oppositely disposed. The plate 8 is formed with a central slot 11, and 12 is a pullbar movable on the guides 9 and out through the support 2. Exterior of the said support 2 the bar 12 has a grip or handle 13 on its outer end and forms a stop to limit the automatic inward'return movement derived from means presently set forth and also serve to accurately dispose the same in a normal position of rest for repetitions operations. The rear end of the'bar 12 has a vertical slot 14: and a coin-receiver 15, formed with grooves 16 in opposite sides to slidingly engage the guides 9. Lugs or projections 17 extend inward toward each other at the rear part of 'the receiver and have a longitudinal opening 18 between them, and also between the front limiting ends of said lugs or projections and the rear end of the bar 12 a transverse opening 19 exists and first receives the coin and retains it in upright position until cleared from the said bar. The upper faces of the lugs or projections 17 are formed with recesses 20, and these, together with the slot 18, are to correlatively receive contributing mechanism carried by the primal coin-controlling device. On one side of the receiver 15 a pin 21 projects laterally, and on the opposite side, preferably at the point of juncture of the bar 12 and said receiver, a wiper 22 is located and consists of a slotted head 23, pivotally connected to said parts and having a rounded or analogous stud 24,/extending inward. This wiper has a spring 25 secured thereto and to a rear adjacent p art of the receiver and is positively prevented from having a rearward movement by abutting against a shoulder 26, formed by the projection of the receiver, but has an easy forward swing against the retractile effort of said spring 25, which tends always to restore it to a normal position. To automatically redraw the bar 12 inwardly and normally position it after operation, springs 27 of suitable tension are attached to the rear upper part of the receiver 15 and to the arms of the bifurcate plate 6. The bar 12 can never be operated until a required coin has been regularly disposed in actuating relation thereto, and to guard against tampering with the machine a lock is employed and consists 0f an irregular yoke 28, pivotally attached to the outer edge of the plate 8. The upper arm 29 of said yoke is shorter than the'lower arm 30 and basan inwardly-projecting nose 31, normally rest-ing in a semicircular recess 32 in the adjacent edge of said plate 8, and forms a stop for engagement with a shoulder 33 of the receiver 15 onthat side. A curved cam projection 34 extends inwardly and forwardly from the lower arm 30 of the yoke and lies in the path of movement of a part hereinafter set forth for automatically releasing the lock at the proper time and under regular conditions. The nose 31 is continuously projected inward by a spring 35, bearing against an outer part of the yoke, and the latter is thereby always maintained in a sensitive locking position. A shaft 36 has bear- IIO ing in the arm 3 at a suitable distance from the support 2 and also in another arm 37 at the opposite side of the mechanism. On a portion of this shaft projecting out from arm 3 the lower end of a starting-lever 38 has rotation, and at the upper end of said lever is a finger 39, which moves in the slot 11 of the plate 8, and 'the bar l2 is cleared therefrom by means of the slot 14, into which said linger also projects for a time. The piston of an air-cushion L10 is movably connected to the lever 38 below the finger 39 by a rod 41, said cushion being held by the upward-extending part 4 of the arm 3 and serves to ease the return movement of the said lever. Also attached to the lever above the point of engagement of the rod 41 is the front end of a cord or analogous device 42, which passes rearward over the grooved roller 5 and has a weight 43 secured to its depending end. From the outer side of the lever, just below the finger, a headed stud or similar device 44 projects and bears against the cam projection 34 on the lower arm 30 of the locking-yoke 28, the said cam projection being in such relative position to the stud that an outward swing ofthe lever will cause the yoke to be forced outwardly and gradually withd raw the nose 31 in a lateral direction from a locking` position.

On the inner side of the lever 38 an actuating-dog 45 is gravitatingly attached and has a depending lug 46. The pin or bolt 47, on which the dog 45 is mounted, extends inwardly a sufficient distance for operating other mechanism hereinafter explained, and the lug 46 is located at a predetermined distance from the pin or bolt 47. The dog rearward from the lug 46 is sufciently long and so shaped as to bear upon and easily move over a curved contact-head 48, supported by an upright from the arm 3. On the shaft 36, just inside the arm 3, a hub 49 is fixed and has a sector-cam 50 with a curved edge 5l and of less radial projection than the head 48, and with the front normally vertical edge 52 thereof the lug 46 is adapted to engage when the lever 38 is swung or moved far enough forward. The hub 49 also has a crank-arm 53 projecting therefrom in an upward and rearward oblique direction, and on an opposite portion of the shaft 36 a similarly-post tioned crankarm 54 is made fast. These crank-arms are attached to other mechanism, which will be subsequently described.

An arm 55 is attached to the lower part of lever 38 and projects forward and downward, and from the free end a rod 56 extends inward and carries an an tifrictional grooved bearingroller 57 on its free end. The arm 55 moves gradually and obviously simultaneously with the lever 38 and serves to open certain mechanism controlling the final delivery of the vended article or material.

The devices thus far disclosed actually control the starting of the operation of the feeding and the vending' mechanism, including the apportioning or separation, disposition and delivery devices, and in part, at least, is automatic. So far as the purchaser is concerned the only act on his part necessary to set in motion the various independent devices will be the regular deposit of the prescribed coin and a withdrawal of the bar 12. As soon as the coin becomes positioned in the transverse opening 19 the purchaser can pull out the said bar 12 and the coin is drawn upright lengthwise of the plate 8. The coin is first brought in contact with the rear side of the finger 39 on the upper end of the lever 38, and the latter is gradually pulled forwardly against the stress of the weight 43 until a full limit is reached, when the coin will pass into the upper part of a coin-chute 58, located against the adjacent inner part of support 2, and continuing down to the lower end of the latter, where it can be seen through a glass-covered sight-opening 59 in the support, and thence into a cash-receptacle of a form hereinafter explained. The pressure of the coin during the foregoing operation remains constant, owing to the rear retention thereof afforded by the lugs or projections 17 of the receiver 15, and as soon as the coin passes into the chute the barl2 will have been pulled out to its full limit and the purchaser, appreciating the resistance as a notification, will let go, and the springs 27 will retract the bar into normal position. It will be understood, however, that the time of release for the purpose of the return of the bar does not in the least affect the operation, as the mechanism is set in motion at the time of deposit of the coin in the chute 58 or mo` mentarily thereafter, and thus the purchaser has no control whatever over the operation of the several mechanisms. At the exact time that the linger 39 and arm 29 become disengaged the dog 45, which has also been gradually drawn forward,reaches such a point relatively to the cam 50 that it drops down and the lug 46 becomes positioned against the vertical edge 52 of said cam. The weight 43, which is suiiiciently heavy to overcome the resistance of all the mechanism it is arranged to control, now draws the lever 38 rearward in a steady and regular manner, owing to the aircushion 40. lever is moving toward a normal position, as stated, the lug 46 is pushing the cam 50 over toward the rear and rotating the shaft 36 and lowering the crank-arms 53 and 54. During this time the lower portion of the dog will be riding over the contact-head 48 and the lug 46 thereby gradually raised as the lever 38 comes toward said head and until the said dog is entirely clear of and finally rests in inert condition on the curved edge 5l of the cam. The lower arm 55 is also gradually moved downwardly and slightly rearwardly by the advance of the lever 38, and the roller 57, carried by the rod 56, completes its work just at the time the said lever loses its radius and is automatically reset by the rearward movement of the lever.

Should a dishonest purchaser endeavor to obtain a dual or multiple vendition by the use of a single coin and by attempting to suddenly jerk or pulsate the bar 12, his efforts will be completely defeated, as the coin is so disposed when in opening 19 as to have diametrically opposite portions thereof engage the resisting faces or projections ol" the ratchet-bars 10, which stand forward, and after the bar 12 is drawn forward partially it cannot be returned rearward, and any sud- While the said IIO den forward jerk will only lock it step by step in furtherdistended position and must be entirely drawn out to deliver the coin to chute 58 before its return is permitted and the vending mechanism operated. Y

The coin-operated mechanism being intimately associated with the vending mechanism is described in detail to enable a clear understanding of the operation and construction of the machine being obtained, and while said coin-operated mechanism is not claimed specifically herein it is not my intention to abandon the same.

Vending mec7iCmism.-On the upper rear portion of the support 2 an inclosing box or casing 60 is located and has an open top and bottom and a rear downwardlydeiiected bottom portion 61 to assist in more effectively carrying out the function of the devices operating thereon. This box or casing is disposed in the main behind au elongated glass panel 62 to clearly exteriorly display the movel Wardly.

ments of the parts, and thus mechanically explain the several operations attending the preparation of the vended article or material to the purchaser and gratify a naturally inquisitive disposition with benefit to the favorable indorsement of the machine. On the rear upper part of the box or casing are bearings 63, suitably spaced apart, and in opposite sides of the said box or casing are vertical slots 64 in transverse alinement. The front side of the box or casing is closed by the adjacent parts of the support 2 and the panel 62, and the front edges for a portion of their length are formed with guide-slots 65, and the rear closed side 66 has an upper opening 67, adapted to he covered and provide for access to the mechanism to change or vary the adjustment. The lower portions of the bearings 63 have a rock-shaft 68 mounted therein, and to one end outside of one bearing a crankarm 69 is fixed and extends forwardly and up- On the other end of said rock-shaft an arm 70 is fastened in such manner as to move therewith and has a counterpoise-weight 71 secu red thereto and shiftable to vary the rapidity or sensitiveness of movement of parts controlled thereby. On the opposite end of the rock-shaft from that towhich said weight 71 is attached a crank-arm 72 is also made fast and sets in a normal position similar to crank-arm 69. Intermediate the length and to the outer sides of the crank-arms 69 and 72 the upper ends of connecting-bars or analogous devices 73 and 74 are movably attached and also in like manner to the ends of crank-arms 54 and 53 on shaft 36, respectively on the outer and the inner sides of the latter crank-arms to avoid interference of the working parts. To the front ends of the crank-arms 69 and 72 depending links 76 and '75 are applied and have a free movement, and the lower ends of the same are swiveled on lateralguide-trnnnions 77 of a scoop 78, operating in the box or casing 60. These trunnions regularly slide in the slots (Hand have antifrictional rollers 79 thereon for obvious reasons. This scoop is preferably of the form shown by Fig. 12 and has a closed front plate 8O and opposite angular sides 8l, each of a similar contour and entirely open at the top and rear. The said sides have the upper rear edges straight for a portion of their length and then gradually and regularly incline to the front plate 8O and are intended to move close to the rear side 66 of the box or casing 60 for a time and insure such desired operation in view of a necessary initial normal disposition of the scoop at an angle to attain the several predetermined continous functions thereof. The lower end of plate 8O is projected in the form of a curved edge lip 82, and the upper end 83 is extended beyond the upper terminations of the sides 81. The trunnions 77 are secured to the sides 8l near the top rear portion thereof, and to the upper extended end 83 a rod or analogous device 84 is fastened and sheathed, as lat 85, to prevent lodgment thereon of the ven ded articles or materials or passage thereof between said sheathing and the part of the elongated panel 62 and support 2, against which said part of the scoop has close movement. logous device 84 lare projected beyond the sides 81 and .form trunnions 86, which are movable in the guide-slots at the front of the box or casing 60 and have antifrictional rollers 87 thereon to ease their sliding operation and avoid wear on contiguous engaged surfaces. The sides 81 have slots 88 in their lower portions arranged parallel with the edges thereof, and above said slots the edges are c ut away, as at 89, to reduce the frictional drag on the rear side of the box or casing 60 during the movement of the scoop 78 therein. rlhe upper front parts of the sides 81 also have inclined slots 90 therein, which are parallel with the plate 80, and both sets of slots 88 and 90 cooperate with opposite alined pairs of studs 91 and 92,working freely in front and rear openings 93 and 94 in the sides of said box or casing. The front inner ends of the studs project into the box or casing and are rounded, and the pair 91 are at a higher elevation than the rear pair 92, and each stud is attached to the free end of a iiat or other suitable spring 95, secured at an opposite portion to the exterior of the said box or casing and operate to normally press the studs inwardly. These studs 91 and 92 engage the respective slots 90 and 88 in the sides 81 of the scoop at regular intervals and during certain periods to maintain a temporary position thereof relatively to the box or casing and adjacent mechanism or devices operated thereon. While the scoop has free movement in the box or casing 60, it is confined close enough by the latter to prevent interposition of the vended articles, materials, or substances between the same and said box or casing and support 2, and the upper part thereof serves as the lower end of an appo'rtioning or measuring compartment 96,

The opposite ends of the rod or ana-l IOO IIC

ITS

having an autom atically-operatin g bottom 97,

' swung on a rod or bar 98, supported by the boX or casing at a necessaryfor preferred elevation above the normal resting position of the scoop. This bottom 97 consists of a plate forwardly curved, principally at its free end, and having sutcient weight to readily assume a depending position when all resistances are removed, and across ihc rear upper part of the scoop a rod 99 extends in rear of said bottom and has an adjusting-screw 100 seated therein, which can be easily reached through the opening 67 in the rear side ot' the box or casing and adjusted to regulate the elevation thereof and the consequent variation in the apportionment of the articles or materials to be vended. When the scoop descends far enough, the rod 99 and its screw 100 are depressed below and entirely free of ihe'said bottom 97, and the latter will stand freely in depending position with the forwardly-curved free end projected over the path of movement of the said rod 99 and its screw and closes the said opening 67. Theretore when the scoop comes up or rises the forwardly-extending end of said screw strikes the rear surface of said bottom and gradually riding thereunder presses the latt-er upwardly into normal resting position. In this latter position said bottom shuts oit the lower part of the scoop and is so held until the mechanism is regularly started to make a delivery.

The measuiing-coinpartment 96 complet-e comprises in its organization the bottom 97 and upper part of the scoop, as stated, and also the surrounding part ot' the box or casing 60 above the same, as well as the adjacent part of the support 2, coniined between the opposite parts of the box or casing by its application. rlhe upper limit of said compartment is formed by an automatically-operating cut-off consisting in the present instance oi' gravitating gates 101, longitudinally disposed trom front to rear and swung downwardly with oppositely: rotatable rods 102, which project to the rear through the upper part of the side 66 of the box or casing 60 and close to the bearings 63. On therearends of the rods 102 cam projections 103 are removably and adjustably secured and serve as counterpoises for the gates, but are particularly adapted to be engaged by a transversely-extending movable elevator 104, consisting` in the present instance of a curved plate having rearwardly-extending arms 105 continuous with or attached to sleeves 106, provided with slots 107. The sleeves 106 are mounted on a rock-shaft 108 in the upper part of the bearings 63, and from said shaft headed studs 109 project and pass through the slots 107 to allow the sleeve 106 to have an independent limited forward rotation, but obstruct any rearward movement whatever. A spring 110 is coiled around the shaft 108 in opposite directions outwardly. The ends are made fast to said studs 109 and the center part between the coils drawn forwardly and attached tothe under central portion of the elevator 104. This independent movement for the elevator,through its connections, as set forth, allows t-he gates 101 to have yielding movement after they are temporarily locked closed and prevents jamming of a bulky article or material vended and obviates springing or bending of the parts and at the same time insures a practicable cut-o of a very sensitive nature and self-adjustable to compensate for varying resistance at times to its entire closure, yer by its automatic adaptation preventing dropping or falling of the vended article or material after an apportionment has been made and during the operation ot' delivery of the same. On the end of the shaft 108 nearest the starting mechanism a rearwardly-extending crankarm 111 is firmly secured and has a spring 112 attached to its hub and the upper part of the support 2, which acts normally to hold the cut-off open. To the cranlcarm 111the upper end of a connecting-bar 113 is movably secured and extends down to the arm 114 of a bell-crank lever 115, swingingly secured on a hanger 116, held by the plate 8 of the starting mechanism. The arm 114 stands vertically aud bears against a stop 117 on the plate 8 when the cut-off of the apportioningchamberis open and by reason ot' the tension of the spring 112 transmitted through the intermediate devices. The outer arm 118 of the bell-crank lever is horizontally disposed when arm 114 is vertical and serves as a locking projection for a gravitating dog 119, also' pivotally attached to the hanger 116 at a lower level and outwardly or in advance of the said bell-crank. The pivot of said dog is at the rear, and the greater part of the weight thereof is disposed at the front, and to prevent the dog from having a rearward throw beyond a predetermined limit a stop 120 is relatively situated near the upper rear edge thereof. In the top edge of vsaid dog, at the front, a spring-actuatedcatch 121 is mounted and has a nose extending beyond the said edge and rear projecting over the upper edge to limit its movement.

-An extension 122 projects forwardly and downwardly from the link 75, and thereto is attached the upper end of an adjustable trip 123, depending down through a guide 124 on the hanger 116 and having a shoulder or analogous device 125 at its lower portion. This trip is made adjustable in its structure to regulate its stroke and govern the time of operation of the parts which it actuales, and the shoulder or other device 125 coaets with the nose of the catch 121 on dog 119.

IOO

IOS

IIO

As shown in the main figures of the drawings, two rods 126 extend rearwardly from the lower end of the rear side 66 of the box ort-asing 60 in parallel planes any desired distance and are equally spaced apart from each other. These rods are preferably removable in their attachment and have inclined knife-edge cutters 127 at their upper sides at the points where they are applied to the box or casing. The rear ends of the rods are reduced and intended to pass through openings in bags 128, which are strungthereon inqnantities and regularly fed forward toward the box or Oasing bya follower 129, having openings therein to receive said rods and depending in the main below the latter. This follower presses equally against the-full length of the bags and is automatically moved by a weight 130, having a suspending-cord or analogous device attached to the upper rear part of the box or casing 60 and engaging a grooved pulley or roller 131 on the rear upper part of the follower. The mouths of the bags are arranged to the front and are fed up in such relative position as to have the lip 82 of the scoop 78 enter and open the same, and at a proper time an individual separation of the 'bags from the rods takes place. As each bag is separated from the rods the succeeding ones are proportionately moved forward and until the foremost one occupies a position to be operated-on similarly to the preceding removed one. Thus it will be seen that the bags are individually fed into place and each completely independent of its successors. While bags have been set forth to illustrate a practical operation, boxes or analogous devices could also be used and fed in like manner.

An auxiliary attachment is mounted on the side of the box or casing nearest the starting mechanism for similarly opening the mouth of the bag to a limited extent to insure the entrance thereof of the lip 82 of scoop 78. This attachment includes an oscillatable arm 132, swiveled intermediate its length just about on a line with the top of the slot 64, but in rear of the latter. The forward end of said arm 132 is reduced and adapted to extend above and be operated by the adjacent trunnion 77, and has a spring 133 secured thereto and also to the lower part of the 'box or casing 60. This spring exerts a downward tension on the end of the arm with which it connects and tends to pull up the rear end of said arm. To said rear end of the arm the upper end of a slide 134 is movably attached and has a slot 135 in the body thereof for movement over a headed guide 136, fas.- tened in the box or casing 60, and to the lower termination of the said slide a iinger 137 is con nected and has a limited movement under the resistance of a spring 138 and the relative position ofa shoulder 139 and a stop 140 on the connected parts. This finger extends rearwardly and has a reduced termination to easily enter and gradually open the mouth of the bag to a certain degree from one side,

the yielding attachment of said finger allow* ing it to conform to and overcome any minor obstruction in the initial operation and prevent tearing the material'of which the bags are formed. To hold the front end of the oscillatable arm 132 elevated and the slide 134 and finger 137 depressed, a locking-latch 140a is located on the side of the box or casing near the said parts and has angular projections or shoulders 140b formed 0n its upper end to adapt it to ride and take hold under the said front end of arm 132 by the pressure of a spring 140, bearing thereagainst above the pivotal or swivel point thereof. The lower end 14()d of said latch is normally disposed by the operation of the said spring 140c across the lower portion of the slot on that side of the box or casing, and is released andthe whole attachment afterward reset for a purpose in a manner, subsequently explained.

As a substitute for the bag feeding and guiding devices heretofore described the form of feeder shown by Figs. 19 and 20 can be employed and supported by suitable means properly positioned within the cabinet or inclosure 1. This modified form of device consists of a bottom plate 141, having at the rear upwardly-extending daring sides 142, and from which guide-flanges 143 extend a greater part of the length of the said plate 141 and toward the front end,which is open. To the rear edges of the sides 142 a bearing-plate or analogous support 144 is fastened, and from the same guide-tubes 145, 146, and 147 project forwardly and provide seats for guiding plunger-rods 148, 149, and 150, having movement therein. These plunger-rods are ot' considerable length and are attached to or connected to the rear of a follower or pressure-head 151, which movably fits between the sides and is automatically propelled forward by a spring 152, surrounding the tube 145 between the said follower and bearingplate or support 144. By the use of the upper and lower guide-rods 149 and 150 the follower is moved regularly and the pressure more nearly equalized thereby against the bags. As the parts are shown arranged they are adapted for use with bags having the full dimensional capacity of the attachment and the spring 152 is at the center; but when smaller bags are used the spring may be changed in position and brought down on the tube 147, or if bags of considerably-larger proportions be employed the spring` can be mounted on the upper tube 146. These are obvious changes, and in some instances a greater tension might be desired than can be attained by the use of a single spring, and in this event two or all of the tubes may be supplied with springs. At the front of this attachment yielding retaining-iin'- gers 153 are secured to the iianges 143 and extend inwardly a short distance across the open front end above the bottom plate 141 and serve to prevent the bag as filled from slipping out of place too soon. An empty bag cannot be practicably forced past these fingers; but as it is filled the bulk increases at the bottom and forces the said fingers out far enough to permit the filled bag to readily pass. After the filled bag has passed out the fingers immediately resume the position shown to hold the succeeding IOO IIO

uniilled bag and ready for a successive similar operation. As shown by Fig. 19, anglearms 154 can be used to attach the device at the rear end, and shouldered supports 155 to engage adjacent rests can be employed at the front. These features of support are unimportant, however, and can be changed at will within the suggestive purview of mechanical skill. Also at various points cross ties or braces 156 are applied to counteract spreading that might arise from the lateral pressure exerted by the bulk of the bags. When the bags are stacked or placed in this device, the follower 151 is shoved back its full limit between the sides and completely loaded from the front face of said follower to the spring retaining-ngers 153, the bottoms of the bags resting on the bottom plate 141 and movably confined by the flanges 143. In the drawings the follower is shown at a point between its extreme movements; but it will be understood that it pushes forward full length of the attachment to completely feed the bags.

On the inner lower portion of the faceplate or support 2 and relatively to the mechanism above a curved guide-plate 157 is secured directly behind an opening 158 of suitable dimension in the said plate or support at this point. The guide-plate 157 extends upward, and on opposite sides thereof angular or analogous side closures 159 are stationarily applied and attached thereto, one of which eX- tends up to the arm 37. On the closure adjacent the starting mechanism a vertical guard 160 is iiXed and forms one side oi a guide for the delivery of the bagged or inclosed vended article or material. Pivot-supports 161 eX- tend downwardly and rearwardly from the front lower portions of the closure 159, and thereto are movably attached the front ends of arms 162l of a convex or equivalent cover 163. The grooved `roller 57, carried by the lower arm 55, heretofore referred to in connection with the starting mechanism, is adapted to bear on the upper edge of one of the arms 162, and projecting forwardly and upwardly from the arm is a pivoted catch 164, having a lateral projection 165 on the free end, and to the same arm a rear extension 166 is secured, to which the lower end of a retractile spring 167 is fastened and also to a lateral projection 168 on the box or casing 60. The front of the opening 158 is covered by a hood 169, open at the boltom and provided with a front aperture 170 and an upper glass-covered sight-opening 171, and covered by said hood is a delivery-gate 172, movably attached to the top wall of the said opening 158. To the right-hand side oi' the deliverygate a rigid latch 173 projects, having an angular projection 174 on its free end and reverse to and adapted to bear on the angular projection 165 on the adjacent free end of the catch 164. 'lhe latch 173 is held in proper position and in operative relation to the free end of lhe catch 164 by an inwardly-directed retentioirpin or similar device 175, applied to a side or wall of the guide, and over this mechanism is mounted a shield-plate 176 and secured in place on contiguous parts, being continued above the level of arm 37 in the form ot' a guard 177, which is slotted and has a greater rearward extent than the opposite guard 160. The cover 163 normally stands closed, owing to the retractile tension 'exerted thereon bythe spring 167, and the rigid catch 164 is consequently lowered. When this cover is thrown back at the time the bagged or other inclosed vended article or material is delivered,it will be necessary to hold the same open for a time, and when in such open position the rigid catch 1764 is brought up under the latch 173, which is always held in engaging position by the gravitation of the delivery-gate 172, carrying the same, and forced upward against the retention-pin 175. To provide an automatic lock for holding the cover closed when the machine is inert, a dog 178 is swung off the rear part ofthe closure 159, near the starting mechanism, and has a rear weighted end 179 and a front vertical releasing-finger 180, adapted to be engaged by the inner-projecting end of the pin or bolt17, on which -tlbe dog 45 is mounted, and as said pin is drawn forwardly the dog 178 is released from the rear of the cover. lt will be understood that the mechanism just described is intended for preventing nefarious tampering with the internal device or frustrate an attempt to reach the article or materials for vendition from the exterior, and as a further safeguard i'or this purpose a toolhed plate 181 is located at the top of the opening' 158 and has a downward angle. As a subsi itute i'or these devices, however, the attachment shown by Fig. 18 may be employed, and thereby dispense with cousiderabie mechanism. This device consists of a tortuous-cnrved throat 182, communicating at its lower end with the hood 169 through the opening 158, and so shaped that the insertion of the hand of a person or wire or other device held thereby to any harmful distance will be prevented. The guards 160 and 177 may be used with advantage in connection with the throat 182, and in either event posts 186` rise vertically adjacent to said guards and have litted to the upper portions thereof inwardly-extendingguiding-pins 184, one projecting through the slot of guard 177 and operates to prevent the bag or inclosure and its contents in descending from toppling over and insure a deposit of the same into the delivery device below with the open end upward. This will avoid spilling of the said contents and present the bottom of the bag or inclosure to the purchaser' for withdrawal, and the convenience oi' such presentation is evident. Beiowthe lower end of the hood 169 on the cabinet. or inclosure 1 a receiver 185 is fastened, and into this the bag or inclosure containing the vended article or material is intended to drop and also any of the latter that may become loose either accidentally above or during the [all from said hood.

lIO

Thus the purchaser will be given full quantity in accordance with the measurement of the apportioning-compartment.

The general operation of the foregoing structural features of the vending mechanism is as follows: The starting mechanism having the coin regularly positioned therein, the purchaser draws out the pull-bar 12 and throws the starting-lever 38 forwardly against the tension of the weight 43, as heretofore referred to. As said lever moves forward the actuating-dog 45 is likewise moved over the cam 50 and until the lug 46 drops ahead of the vertical edge 52 of said cam, and at this time the lever will have reached its full forward swing. Simultaneously with the forward drag of the dog 45 the projecting pin or bolt 47 will have unlocked the rear-weighted end 179 of the dog 178 from the rear edge of the cover 163 by engagement with the finger 180 and just immediately previous to the application of the downward-bearing pressure 'of the roller 57, carried by the lower arm 55 on the upper edge of the nearest arm 162, and throw the said cover open against the tension of the spring 167. As the cover opens, the iixedcatch 164 thereon moves down correspondingly and becomes engaged by the end of the latch 173 on tbe delivery-gate 172 under the pin 175, thus holding` the cover locked open and the gate closed with sufficient resistance to overcome the weight of the bagged or inclosed vended article, but easily opened,

"as will shortly appear,by the purchaser. Also as the pull-bar 12 moves forward the wiper 22 strikes the upper arm 114 of the bell-crank lev'er 115, throws it forward, and draws down the connecting-bar 113. Through this bar 113 and the rock-shaft 108, together with the intermediate mechanism heretofore set forth, the gates 101 are elevated and close or practically shut olf the vended article or material Afed into the apportioning-compartment from above and separate the same from similar articles or materials already resting in said compartment and now below said gates. At this time also the other arm 118 of the bellcrank lever descends in an arc and hits, tilts, and passes the rear end of the dog 119 and locks the latter against movement for a time. This preliminary setting takes place in regular sequence and at proper times and is entirely complete when the coin is relieved from the bar 12, and at this interval the purchaserwill be made aware of a release of resistance to his pull and will naturally let go and the said bar will be automatically returned to normal position by the springs 27. Whether the bar is released or not by the purchaser will have no effect on the mechanism now about to move, as all control of the latter has now been lost and until another proper coin has been regularly inserted. Therefore the 'weight 43 now comes into play under the government of the cushion 40, and starting-lever 38 is now drawn rearward and the lug 46 of dog 45 forces the cam 50 over toward the rear, ro-

scoop,

tates the shaft 36, and draws the crank-arms 53 and'54 downward. The said movement of these crank-arms pulls down the connecting-bars 73 and 74, attached to the crankarms 69 and 72 on the rock-shaft 68, moves the latter, and raises the counterpoise-weight 71, and by means of the links 75 and 76, extending from the lattercrank-arms and to the trunnions 77, the scoop 78 is gradually lowered with its contents. At the same time the trip 123, attached to extension 122 of the link 75, also correspondingly moves downward, and the shoulder 125 passes the catch 121 on the now locked dog 119. The scoop 78 continues to move down in a straight plane through the box or casing 60, being so guided by the studs 92 engaging the rear lower slots 88 and the trunnions 86 on the rod or other device 84 moving in the slots 65 in the sides of said box or casing. The lip 82, by its extension and angle in its downward movement, enters the mouth of the adjacent foremost bag, which is held open sufficiently for the purpose by the finger 137 on the slide 134 of the auxiliary opening attachment, and the bottom 97 of the measuring-compartment is also at the same time gradually depressed and by said operation allows the apportioned contents to feed into the lower part of the and the latter continues in its lowering movement until it has reached its full direct vertical descent, when the said bottom 97 willbe completely opened and the articles or material vended will rest on the lower part of said scoop and be confined between the same and the surrounding part of the box or casing 60. At this time the studs 92 will be leaving the slots 88, and trunnion 86, near the starting mechanism, will have struck the lower end 140d of the latch 140 and thrown the upper end outward from under the front end of the .oscillatable arm 132, permitting the spring 133 to pull down on said arm and elevate the slide 134, thereby raising and moving the finger 137 out of and away from the bag to be filled. Both trunnions 86 will now be bearing against the lower terminations of the slots 65 and serve as the axes for the further movement of the scoop. The tru nnions 77 will not have quite traversed the slots 64 and their depression continues, and the resistance now set up by the trunnions 86 will cause the scoop to start to swing over toward the front, thus distending the mouth of the bag into which the lip 82 has been moving, and allow the articles or material to be vended and which has been resting in the scoop to gradually and fully pass into the bag. The bag as lled is at the same time drawn away from the feeding attachment therefor and if the rods 126 are used pulled off the latter and separated by the cutters 127. If the bag-feeding attachment shown in Figs. 19 and 20 be used, the bag will likewise be drawn out therefrom between the spring-fingers 153, as previously set forth. The lled bag as drawn clear of its feeding device falls or IOO IIO

gravitates and rests on the cu rved guide-plate 157 between the one side closure 159 and the shield-plate 176, being held upright by the pins 184. At this time the scoop will have swung over, so that the plate 80 thereof is vertically disposed against the inner side of the glass panel 62 and will be entirely open, and portions or particles of the vended articles or materials that may have by any possibility lodged above will be permitted to fall into the iinal-delivery mechanism below and move with the filled bag or other device to ward an d rest against the delivery-gate 172. The purchaser has had full View ot' this operation through the panel 62, and his attention is also invited to observe such byasuitable inscription on the exposed side of the plate 80 of the scoop and by intuition or visible instruction inserts his hand up through the open bottom of the hood 169. Meeting with the resist-ance or obstruction to obtaining' the vended articles olered by the still-locked delivery-gate 172 he naturally attempts to remove the saine and pulls the lower end of said gate outwardly, thus releasing the latch 173 from the catch 164c ofthe cover163, the bagged or inclosed article or material passes out, the said cover moves forward by action of the spring 167, and the weighted end 179 of the dog 178 drops behind the rear edge of the cover and locks the latter closed, and it remains firmlyin this condition until regularly opened as before. lf the throat 182 is used instead of the delivery mechanism just set forth, the bagged or inclosed article or material will fall directly thereinto and pass outwardly therefrom withoutmanipulation of any sort by the purchaser. Just about the time the filled bag or other device falls free into the final delivery device or devices the lug 46 on the actuating-dog 45 will have lostits engagement with and cleared the edge 52 of the cam 50, because the rear part of said dog has been riding over the contact-head 48 and gradually raised thereby. The counterpoise-weight 71, which has the function to restore the vending mechanism to normal set position, begins to descend as soon as the dog 45 is relieved from the cam 50, being heavy enough to overcome the mechn ical resistance and weight of the connected parts it controls. Thus the rock-shaft. 68 is moved in reverse direction and the crank-arms 69 and 72 thereon are raised, pulling upward on the links and 76, and through the trunnions 77 elevate the scoop 78. The front studs 91 will now be in engagement with the slots 90 of the scoop, and the front plate 80 will be caused to ascend in a vertical plane until the said studs leave the slots 90, and at this time the triinnions 80 on the ends of rods 84 will have reached the Lipper ends of slots 65, the scoop swung toward the rear, so that the lip 82 closes snugly against the rear deflected bottoni portion 61 of the box or casing 60, and continues to move upwardly until the trunnions 77 strike the upper walls of the slots 64,

in which they travel. drawn up at the same time the immediate foregoing operation was proceeding, and the shoulder 125 thereof, caught under the catch 121 on the dog 119, tilted the latter rearward and released the bell-crank lever 115, which allowed the rock-shaft 108 to be moved forward by the spring 110, simultaneously pull up they con necting-bar 113, released the pressure of' the elevator 104 from the cam projections 103 on rods 102, and thereby permitted the gates 101 to fall down and open the upper part of the apportioning or measuring compartment 96 to the feed from above just as the scoop has completed its full upward movement. During the rise of the scoop the dumping-bottom 97 will have been gradually drawn up by the rod 98 and the compartment 96 will be again completely arranged for a subsequent similar operation. As soon as the trunnions 86 begin to move upward the one nearest the starting mechanism releases the latch 140a and the spring tension thereon causes the upper end to be thrown rearward and rests against the depressed front end ot' the oscillatable arm 132 and remains in such position until the nearer trunnion 77 strikes and pushes up the said latter arm against the tension of the spring 133, when the upper end of lat-ch 140a will automatically slip Linder the front end thereof and at once force the slide 134 downwardly and rearwardly and direct the finger 137 thereon into the side of the mouth of the next empty bag which was pressed into place immediately after its filled predecessor was released. All the vending mechanism proper will now stand ready for further operation and the vended article or material will have been deposited by gravitation in the compartment 96 and the start` ing-lever 38 will be fully to the rear and the dog 45 have its lug 46 resting on the upper curved edge 51 of the cam 50.

l/Vhen either form of bag-feeding attachment is emptied, the follower thereof will be forced to the front in full View through the panel 62 and have applied thereto a notice to the eect that the machine is empty and not to insert the coin. This will prevent a useless waste of the coin and obviate aggravation or dissatisfaction on the part of an intending purchaser. As a further notice in this direction the upper part of the cabinet or inclosure will be provided with aframe or holder 186, in which a stop or other instructive card may be placed and easily viewed from the front. A necessary and advantageous accessory to this form of machine, and particularly the vending mechanism proper, is a hopper 187,which has a contracted bottom 188 resting directly on the upper surrounding edge of the box or casing 60. Surrounding this compartment is a hot-air chamber 189, having a hot-air llue 190 connected thereto and extendingdown to a heater19l. Within the heater-body is a coil 192, attached at its lower portion to a water tank or reservoir 193 The trip 123 was also IOO IIO 

